-+TPK

=Technological Pedagogical Knowledge (TPK)=



Technological pedagogical knowledge is an ** understanding of how teaching and learning changes when particular technologies are used. **

This includes knowing the pedagogical affordances and constraints of a range of technological tools as they relate to disciplinarily and developmentally appropriate pedagogical designs and strategies.

This requires getting a **deeper understanding of the constraints and affordances of technologies** and t**he disciplinary contexts within which they function**. In other words, it is important to distinguish between affordances and constraints of a technology that are inherent to the technology and those that are imposed from outside by the user.

In short, an important part of TPK is developing creative flexibility with available tools in order to re-purpose them for specific pedagogical purposes.

TPK becomes particularly important because most popular software programs are not designed for educational purposes. Software programs such as the Microsoft Office Suite are usually designed for a business environment. Furthermore, web-based technologies such as blogs or podcasts are designed for purposes of entertainment / communication / social networking. Teachers need to develop skills to look beyond the immediate technology and "reconfigure it" for their own pedagogical purposes.

Thus TPK requires for a forward-looking, creative and open-minded seeking of technology, not for its own sake, but for the sake of advancing student learning and understanding.

__ Exemplar: __
==== To capture students' understanding of a scientific concept, and identifying and linking the different variables of concept involved, Web 2.0 tool Gliffy allows students to draw concept maps with hyperlinks to various sites with animations / simulations to map out their understanding. ====

__ Task __ Work in pairs, choose a working page by renaming the page at the "Manage Wiki" section. You are required to work in pairs and complete the TPK task.